Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

Lee Ha-kyung

The author is a senior columnist at the JoongAng Ilbo.

The United States has effectively declared a strategic battle for independence in rare earth minerals. Confronting China's dominance over more than 90 percent of the global refining market and its growing use of supply as geopolitical leverage, Washington has moved to counter Beijing, joined by 55 countries. The message from a ministerial meeting on critical minerals held at the State Department on Feb. 4 was clear: even if Chinese oversupply drives prices sharply lower, a price floor will be maintained so allied companies do not collapse.

The urgency reflects a painful lesson from last April. Chinese President Xi Jinping retaliated against President Donald Trump's 145 percent tariff increase by tightening export controls on rare earths. U.S. industries ranging from defense and semiconductors to automobiles and batteries were immediately affected. Trump ultimately backed down, agreeing with Xi to lower reciprocal tariffs to 115 percent and declaring a 90-day truce.

Known for his competitive instincts, Trump moved quickly to avoid a repeat. On Feb. 2, he personally announced "Project Vault," a $12 billion initiative to build strategic stockpiles of critical minerals. He remarked that he did not want to experience what happened a year earlier again. The Wall Street Journal noted that the U.S. strategy increasingly resembles China's state-led capitalism. In practice, the administration is providing financial support to private mining firms such as USA Rare Earth while taking equity stakes. The approach reflects Washington's determination, and anxiety, to narrow the gap with Beijing.

Until the 1980s, the United States was the world's leading producer of rare earths. The balance began to shift in the 1990s under the strategic vision of Deng Xiaoping. In 1992, Deng declared, "The Middle East has oil, and China has rare earths," elevating them from industrial inputs to national strategic assets. From that point, technological development in the sector became a state priority.

Even earlier, the Chinese government had tasked Xu Guangxian (1920–2015), a chemistry professor at Peking University, with advancing rare earth refining. Xu developed a solvent extraction method capable of separating all 17 rare earth elements at high purity, the world's first mass-scale refining technology. In the 1990s, China flooded global markets with low-priced, high-purity products. Competitors outside China collapsed one after another. Today, if Beijing were to shut off supply, key American industries would face immediate disruption. Rare earths have become a powerful strategic weapon.

Washington now acknowledges past misjudgments. At the ministerial meeting, Vice President JD Vance stressed that while advanced technologies and data centers are important, the economy still depends on physical resources, and nothing is more tangible than critical minerals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted that the United States had become fascinated with new and glamorous sectors while outsourcing older industries that appeared outdated. Facilities such as the Mountain Pass mine and much of the domestic mineral base were allowed to decline, he said, only for the country to realize later that it had outsourced its economic security and future.

Despite the renewed push, prospects remain uncertain. The ecosystem of technology and skilled labor has eroded. Rebuilding refining facilities and stabilizing production yields will take five to seven years, far longer than the administration's goal of 18 to 24 months. Discovery Alert, an Australian mining analysis firm, warned that the U.S. strategy focuses too heavily on extraction while underestimating the refining technology gap. Energy law firm Baker Botts also noted that China retains the ability to drive emerging U.S. refiners out of business through predatory pricing.

The decline of the U.S. rare earth industry reflects earlier policy choices. Whil...

This article is by Kim Ji-ye and read by an artificial voice.

Netflix's hit dating show "Single's Inferno" (2021-) has always drawn attention, but at the center of this season's buzz is Choi Mina Sue, whose indecisive behaviors and attitudes have become a central topic of discussion among viewers.

Reaction videos to her unexpected remarks and choices have quickly gone viral, with the 26-year-old becoming a target of mounting hate and malicious comments.

Even the show's panel — Hanhae, Dex, Hong Jin-kyung, Lee Da-hee and Super Junior's Kyuhyun — have openly expressed disapproval of her behavior.

And as the show's finale quickly approaches, viewer sentiment toward Choi has shown little sign of softening.

First debuting in 2021, the show's fifth season continues with its signature format, following attractive single men and women as they search for love on a deserted island dubbed "Inferno." On the island, the cast members have to cook their own meals and find water. Participants can leave the island only by matching with a partner, earning a night at a luxurious hotel called "Paradise."

Against this backdrop, what did Choi do to spark such backlash, and were her actions truly deserving of this level of criticism?

Breaking social taboos

When Choi first appeared, she quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after participants, receiving the most votes on her first night. Her down-to-earth personality and natural look were praised by the panel.

In the beginning, she formed a connection with participant Lim Su-been and chose him for a trip to "Paradise." There, the two appeared to develop mutual interest, establishing an early connection on the show. However, the dynamic shifted dramatically during the truth-or-dare game in episode four.

Near the end of the game, when asked who her top choice was at that moment, Choi selected Song Seung-il, who had been building a connection with another female participant, Kim Min-gee. The choice came as a surprise, as Choi and Song had not previously had much interaction. That was when viewer sentiment toward Choi started to change. Frustration mounted as she was shown immediately moving from one man to another — a behavior frequently and severely criticized in reality dating shows.

That was only the beginning. She appeared to also show interest in multiple male participants — not only Lim and Song, but also Lee Sung-hun and Shin Hyeon-woo. Her perceived indecisiveness frustrated many viewers and panelists, particularly Hong Jin-kyung.

Talking behind the backs of other female participants was also a point that garnered criticism. In episode six, during a conversation with Lee, she described other female cast members as being inconsiderate and selfish, and emphasized that she had been kind to everyone. She also said that the cast members had made her feel like the "villain."

She was also seen as lacking an integral requirement for social interaction in Korea: nunchi, or the ability to read the room. In one of the episodes, Choi is seen sitting in her room with her roommate Kim Min-gee when she is called out for a private conversation by Song — her roommate's love interest. In response to being invited out, she twirls in excitement and leaves the room. According to viewer reactions, Choi should've shown more consideration to Kim, perhaps reluctantly making her way out of the conversation.

What backlash did she receive?

Three weeks into the season, Choi's social media accounts were flooded with criticism. While some messages offered support, many were openly harsh.

"Fix your attitude. You think you're the most popular one, but you're not even that pretty," a comment said in one of her posts. The statement received over 9,700 likes as of Saturday.

Others wrote, "Men are hitting on you because you are easy to get. Don't feel special," and, "I usually don't curse at reality show contestants, but every time you appear, I can't help it."

Her name has also been widely discussed on online communities...

This article is by Park Rin, Kim Jong-ho and read by an artificial voice.

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics officially kicked off Friday with a spectacular opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, home to century-old football clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Italy, a nation known for its rich culture and artistic legacy, delivered a refined and visually striking show that ran for over three hours. The ceremony emphasized unity through art, sending a message that even a divided world can ultimately come together.

San Siro, known as the "cathedral of football," was transformed into a living museum. Dancers representing Cupid and Psyche moved among classical sculptures in a dramatic reinterpretation of mythology.

Five-time Grammy winner Mariah Carey drew a thunderous ovation from the crowd of more than 60,000 as she sang Domenico Modugno's "Volare" (1958) in Italian, followed by her own song "Nothing Is Impossible," a tribute to the spirit of Olympic athletes.

True to Milan's status as a global fashion capital, the stage became a giant runway adorned with circular designs. Models paid homage to legendary designer Giorgio Armani, who died last year, by wearing green, red and white suits symbolizing the Italian flag. A black-and-white photo of Armani appeared as part of the tribute.

Singer Laura Pausini performed Italy's national anthem, with the stadium lit up by twinkling LED lights held by spectators.

Athletes from 92 countries made their entrances, starting with Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics. Teams marched through Olympic rings onto the runway-like stage.

Team Korea entered 22nd, under the letter "C" for Corea in the Italian alphabet. Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan and speed skater Park Ji-woo served as flag bearers, smiling as they carried a Korean flag under the night sky.

For the first time, the opening ceremony was held simultaneously across four locations. In Cortina's central square, Team Korea members carried women's skeleton athlete Hong Su-jung on their shoulders. In Livigno's snow park, snowboarders and skiers bounced in, while cross-country athletes entered Predazzo Ski Jump Stadium carrying the national flag through snow-covered terrain. These scenes were broadcast in sequence to represent connection.

Ukraine's athletes received overwhelming support from the audience, a show of solidarity as the country continues to face war. In contrast, the Israeli delegation was met with some jeers, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, present for Team USA's entrance, also drew boos when shown on the stadium screen. The Italian team, dressed in Armani-designed outfits, received the night's loudest cheers, as if a goal had been scored in the stadium.

The ceremony centered around the theme "Armonia," meaning harmony in Italian. Five circular structures combined midair to form the Olympic rings, illuminated in gold, symbolizing the connection between Milan, Cortina and the wider world. The message called for peace amid ongoing global conflicts, including in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, the first female president of the International Olympic Committee, cited the African philosophy of "Ubuntu," meaning "I am because you are."

Following the official opening declaration by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli delivered a powerful rendition of "Nessun Dorma," moving the crowd of 61,000.

For the first time, the Olympic flame was lit in two places. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Deborah Compagnoni and Alpine skiing legend Alberto Tomba ignited the flame at Milan's Arch of Peace, while Sofia Goggia lit the cauldron at Dibona Square in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The Italian hosts reportedly spent 700 hours rehearsing the show, emphasizing the harmony that emerges when all elements come together. All opening ceremony tickets were sold out.

A total of 2,900 athletes from 92 nations are competing across 16 disciplines for 116 gold medals. Korea has sent ...

The ice dance duo of Hannah Lim and Quan Ye placed seventh out of 10 teams in the rhythm dance portion of figure skating's team event at the Winter Olympics on Friday.

Lim and Quan scored 70.55 points in their Olympic debut at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. The two scored 39.54 points in the technical element score, which evaluates twizzles, step sequences and lifts, and earned 31.01 points in the factored components score, which looks at skaters' overall presentation.

Their score was about five points off their season-best set at the Warsaw Cup in November 2025.

Lim is a Canadian native with dual citizenship, while Quan, born in Iceland but raised in Canada, earned his Korean citizenship in December 2024.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States, the three-time defending world champions, topped the rhythm dance with 91.06 points. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France ranked second with 89.98 points.

The team event kicked off the figure skating competition of the Olympic Games.

The short program for the men's singles and the free dance for ice dance will take place Saturday, followed by the free skate for the pairs, women's singles and men's singles on Sunday.

In the team event, skaters earn points based on their ranking positions in each discipline, with the skater or the team with the highest score receiving 10 points, followed by the runners-up with nine points, and so on. Lim and Quan scored four points for Korea.

Teams must finish in the top five after the short programs and rhythm dance to progress to the free program segments.

Without a pairs team, Korea will only have one point in that discipline, but competing at the team event still gives its skaters a chance to get an early look at the ice at Milano Ice Skating Arena before their individual events begin next week.

The team event made its Olympic debut in 2014. Korea first competed in it in 2018 as the host country but failed to qualify for either the 2014 or 2022 Olympics.

Shin Ji-a finished fourth in the women's short program of the team event in figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in northern Italy on Friday.

Shin scored 68.80 points to find herself just off the top three among 10 skaters at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan at the start of the figure skating competition. The 17-year-old earned 37.93 points in the technical element score, which judges jumps, spins and step sequences, and another 30.87 points in the program component score, which accounts for overall artistry and presentation of the program.

Shin's best score of the season is 74.47 points at the Nebelhorn Trophy in September 2025.

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, the 2022 Olympic bronze medalist with three straight world titles from 2022 to 2024, topped the short program with 78.88 points. Alysa Lu of the United States, the 2025 world champion, ranked second with 74.90 points, followed by Lara Naki Gutmann of Italy with 71.62 points.

Ice dance kicked things off with the rhythm dance earlier Friday, and South Korea's Hannah Lim and Quan Ye finished in seventh place with 70.55 points.

The team event features 10 teams who have qualified skaters in at least three of the four disciplines — ice dance, pairs, and the women's and men's singles. Skaters and teams earn points based on their ranking positions, with the top spot good for 10 points and second place worth nine points, and so on.

Shin earned seven points for her effort while Lim and Quan delivered four points. South Korea does not have a team in the pairs and will not receive any points in that discipline, which all but rules it out of medal contention.

Only the top five teams after all the short program segments and rhythm dance will advance to the free skate and free dance portions. Through two segments, South Korea sits in seventh place, eight behind fifth-placed Canada. The United States leads the way with 25 points.

Skating to "Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor" by Frederic Chopin, Shin opened her program with a clean triple lutz, triple toe loop combination. She also landed her double axel cleanly but looked a bit wobbly in the landing of a triple flip later in the program.

The team event will continue Saturday with the men's singles short program and the free dance in ice dance, and will conclude Sunday with the free skates in the men's and women's singles and the pairs.

Released last month, the Pentagon's National Defense Strategy underscored South Korea's capability to undertake the primary defense role with "critical, but more limited" U.S. support, at a time when President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to retake Opcon within its five-year term, ending in 2030.

Observers said that the general tenor of the strategy has created a favorable climate for Seoul's pursuit of the Opcon transfer given that the transition would mean reducing its reliance on America's security protection when Washington seeks to focus on deterring its top geopolitical rival, China.

In an apparent sign of progress, Seoul and Washington are said to be considering presenting a target year for the transition when they hold their annual defense ministerial talks, called the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), in Washington this fall.

The year 2028 — before U.S. President Donald Trump's four-year term ends in January 2029 — is seen as a likely target year.

Asked to comment on the potential timeline for the transfer, a Pentagon official said that the Opcon transition remains "conditions-based" and guided by "mutual agreement" between the two governments.

"There is no change to our approach, and U.S. forces continue to support a strong combined defense and deterrence posture on the Peninsula," the official told Yonhap News Agency.

The allies have been working on the conditions-based Opcon transition since they agreed on it in October 2014. The conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover.

In a positive development for the transition, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to develop a road map designed to "expedite" the implementation of conditions for the transfer during their SCM talks in November.

The two sides also agreed to seek the certification of "full operational capability [FOC]" this year — the second part of a three-phase program aimed at vetting Seoul's capabilities to lead the allies' combined forces.

The program consists of three stages of assessment for the initial operational capability (IOC), the FOC and full mission capability. The IOC phase was completed in 2019.

After FOC verification, the two countries' defense chiefs are expected to put forward a target timeline for Opcon transition, while the specific timing of the transition will be determined during the FMC verification process.

The Lee administration's pursuit of Opcon transition comes as Lee has stressed the importance of South Korea's independent military capabilities in the face of North Korea's advancing military threats and growing uncertainties in the security and geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

"Self-reliant national defense is the most basic of basics amid the unstable international situation," Lee said in a social media post following the release of the Pentagon's defense strategy. "South Korea, with the world's fifth-strongest military, cannot be unable to defend itself."

In South Korea, political circles are still divided over the timing of Opcon transition.

Supporters argue the transfer would bolster efforts to enhance the Asian country's independent military capabilities and increase autonomy in the security alliance with the United States, and address the issue of restoring the country's "military sovereignty."

Opponents have raised concerns that the transfer could lead to a weakening of America's security commitment on the Korean Peninsula at a time of deepening North Korean threats.

Should the transfer occur, a four-star South Korean general will lead the allies' combined forces in wartime with a four-star U.S. general playing a supporting role.

But questions still linger over whether the U.S. military, the strongest in the world, would allow its forces to serve under a South Korean general for wartime operations, and acc...

Released last month, the Pentagon's National Defense Strategy underscored South Korea's capability to undertake the primary defense role with "critical, but more limited" U.S. support, at a time when President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to retake Opcon within its five-year term, ending in 2030.

Observers said that the general tenor of the strategy has created a favorable climate for Seoul's pursuit of the Opcon transfer given that the transition would mean reducing its reliance on America's security protection when Washington seeks to focus on deterring its top geopolitical rival, China.

In an apparent sign of progress, Seoul and Washington are said to be considering presenting a target year for the transition when they hold their annual defense ministerial talks, called the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), in Washington this fall.

The year 2028 — before U.S. President Donald Trump's four-year term ends in January 2029 — is seen as a likely target year.

Asked to comment on the potential timeline for the transfer, a Pentagon official said that the Opcon transition remains "conditions-based" and guided by "mutual agreement" between the two governments.

"There is no change to our approach, and U.S. forces continue to support a strong combined defense and deterrence posture on the Peninsula," the official told Yonhap News Agency.

The allies have been working on the conditions-based Opcon transition since they agreed on it in October 2014. The conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover.

In a positive development for the transition, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to develop a road map designed to "expedite" the implementation of conditions for the transfer during their SCM talks in November.

The two sides also agreed to seek the certification of "full operational capability [FOC]" this year — the second part of a three-phase program aimed at vetting Seoul's capabilities to lead the allies' combined forces.

The program consists of three stages of assessment for the initial operational capability (IOC), the FOC and full mission capability. The IOC phase was completed in 2019.

After FOC verification, the two countries' defense chiefs are expected to put forward a target timeline for Opcon transition, while the specific timing of the transition will be determined during the FMC verification process.

The Lee administration's pursuit of Opcon transition comes as Lee has stressed the importance of South Korea's independent military capabilities in the face of North Korea's advancing military threats and growing uncertainties in the security and geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

"Self-reliant national defense is the most basic of basics amid the unstable international situation," Lee said in a social media post following the release of the Pentagon's defense strategy. "South Korea, with the world's fifth-strongest military, cannot be unable to defend itself."

In South Korea, political circles are still divided over the timing of Opcon transition.

Supporters argue the transfer would bolster efforts to enhance the Asian country's independent military capabilities and increase autonomy in the security alliance with the United States, and address the issue of restoring the country's "military sovereignty."

Opponents have raised concerns that the transfer could lead to a weakening of America's security commitment on the Korean Peninsula at a time of deepening North Korean threats.

Should the transfer occur, a four-star South Korean general will lead the allies' combined forces in wartime with a four-star U.S. general playing a supporting role.

But questions still linger over whether the U.S. military, the strongest in the world, would allow its forces to serve under a South Korean general for wartime operations, and acc...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on any country trading with Iran, the White House said, in yet another move to raise economic pressure on Tehran amid nuclear talks between the two countries.

According to the order, the Trump administration may impose additional tariffs on the products of any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran. The order showed a tariff rate of 25 percent as an example.

The order is effective from 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 7 (Washington time).

The commerce secretary is to determine whether a foreign country engages in such business dealings with Iran and inform the secretary of state of his finding.

The secretary of state, in consultation with relevant Cabinet members, will determine whether and to what extent an additional tariff should be imposed, and inform the president of his recommendation, according to the order.

On Jan. 12, Trump said in a social media post that any country doing business with Iran will pay a 25 percent tariff on any business being done with the United States, as Washington was carefully monitoring Tehran's bloody crackdown on antigovernment protesters.

This article is by Jeong Hye-jeong and read by an artificial voice.

Cold temperatures are expected to continue on Saturday as frigid air from the north remains over the Korean Peninsula.

As of 5 a.m., temperatures stood at minus 10.4 degrees Celsius (13.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in Seoul; minus 11 in Incheon; minus 9.9 in Suwon, Gyeonggi; minus 9.6 in Chuncheon, Gangwon; minus 3.3 in Gangneung, Gangwon; minus 7.4 in Cheongju, North Chungcheong; minus 7.1 in Daejeon, minus 6.4 in Jeonju, North Jeolla; minus 4.4 in Gwangju; 2.1 in Jeju; minus 2.5 in Daegu; 0.8 in Busan, minus 1.3 in Ulsan; and 0.1 in Changwon, South Gyeongsang.

Morning lows are forecast to range between minus 15 and minus 5 degrees across most parts of the country, with strong winds pushing the perceived temperatures even lower.

Daytime highs are expected to range between minus 5 and 4 degrees. From the afternoon, heavy snowfall is forecast to begin on Jeju Island and continue through Sunday. The western parts of Jeolla, Jeju, Ulleung Island and Dokdo may experience snowfall at rates of 1 to 3 centimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches) per hour, with some areas expected to receive more than 5 centimeters of snow.

On Sunday, morning lows are forecast to fall further, ranging from minus 18 to minus 5 degrees, with daytime highs between minus 4 and 3 degrees. Strong winds with gusts of up to 55 kilometers per hour (34 miles per hour) — and up to 70 kilometers in mountainous regions — are expected to persist nationwide, further intensifying the cold.

Fine dust levels are expected to remain in the "good" to "moderate" range across all regions.

Waves will range from 1 to 3.5 meters high in the East Sea, 0.5 to 3.0 meters in the Yellow Sea and 0.5 to 2.5 meters in the South Sea. In offshore areas up to 200 kilometers from the coastline, waves are forecast to reach 1.5 to 4.0 meters in the East Sea, 1.0 to 4.5 meters in the Yellow Sea and 1.0 to 3.5 meters in the South Sea.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Choi Hye-ri and read by an artificial voice.

This was a scene from the first episode of season two of "Culinary Class Wars" (2024-), a Netflix cooking survival show that wrapped up on Jan. 13. The trembling hands making alcohol before food belonged to 39-year-old Yun Na-ra, who goes by the moniker "Brewmaster Yun." The JoongAng Ilbo met her on Jan. 22 at her restaurant, Yunjudang, in the Haebangchon neighborhood in Yongsan District, central Seoul. Yun has operated Yunjudang since 2019, but the restaurant is temporarily closed following the end of the show.

"I applied for the show just hoping they'd include one shot of me brewing soju," Yun said.

"I wanted to highlight Korea's traditional liquor culture and the dishes that go hand in hand with it," she continued. "If I brought in premade alcohol from a brewery, I wouldn't be able to show the brewing process. So, I chose soju, which I would be able to brew within the given time. Soju is also the drink that brings together all of the brewmaster's ultimate skills."

In the first round, she presented the meal titled " Jumo's Spread," consisting of soju, suyuk (boiled pork slices), zucchini jjigae (stew) and a bowl of rice. Jumo refers to a traditional female tavern owner. Chef Anh Sung-jae, one of the judges for the show, praised the "special touch" in the dish and gave her a straightforward pass to the next round.

Yun recalls her life taking a turn with that experience. Before becoming the brewmaster she is today, she graduated from the Seoul Institute of the Arts with a degree in film and worked in performance planning.

"Around 2011, I was planning a show that happened to be paired with a traditional liquor called Jahuihyang," she said. "It was the first time I encountered a traditional Korean alcohol made only with rice, water and nuruk [traditional Korean fermentation starter]. I was instantly hooked and wondered, 'How could something made from just these ingredients taste so fruity and delicious?' A few years later, I sought out the teacher of the person who had brewed it and started learning. I was 30 then."

Under the head of the Korea Traditional Liquor Research Institute (translated), who goes by the alias Park Rok-dam, Yun studied the history and culture of Korean alcohol and began brewing her own, referencing ancient cookbooks. That was how the ordinary Yun transformed into Brewmaster Yun. In 2019, she opened Yunjudang and told her customers to simply call her "jumo."

Nuruk, which contains both mold and yeast, comes in so many varieties it's hard to count. By adjusting the seasons, the rice-to-water ratio or adding other ingredients, one can create an endless array of alcohols using just rice, water and nuruk. Yun has developed three original brews so far, all made at her own brewery in Unni-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul, which opened in 2024.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. How did you prepare the 'Jumo's Spread'?

A. I started with the soju and thought about dishes that would pair well. I prepared a Korean-style table setting with stew, boiled pork, spring cabbage salad and three types of dipping sauces. The theme was 'familiar food that we actually know nothing about,' referring to tastes we used to know but forgot. In the past, people drank medicinal brews aged for 100 days in winter and floral alcohols in spring. But over the last century, with mass production systems, we've lost access to those flavors. I want to bring them back. Isn't that what fine dining is about?

You go by the name 'Brewmaster Yun,' or 'Yun Jumo' in Korean. Why is that?

I think jumo is probably one of the few female professions documented in historical texts. As the owner of a tavern, a jumo cooked, hosted travelers, gave them a place to sleep, poured them drinks and even helped with hangovers. I want to be a professional 21st-century jumo.

What can you tell us about the liquors you developed?

The 'Yunjudang Takju 12%' [translated...